British Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have operated alongside France's air force in a coordinated attack targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, per a report from the UK Ministry of Defence.
The site, identified by intelligence, was believed to be containing munitions and bombs, the statement said, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just above the ancient city of Palmyra in Syria's central region.
"Our aircraft used Paveway IV guided bombs to strike a several entry passages providing entry to the facility... early reports are that the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any civilian casualties in the strike on Saturday evening and each participating jet made a safe return, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
IS - referred to as Daesh - enforced militant control over parts of Syria and Iraq before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation shows the UK's leading role, and resolve to work closely with our partners, to eradicate any resurgence of Daesh and their violent and radical beliefs in the area," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
UK warplanes have conducted patrols over Syrian airspace to "deter any attempted comeback" of the group after its routing at the climactic battle in Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I want to thank the personnel of British forces involved in this mission for their expertise and their bravery," he said. "Including them were numerous UK service members stationed over the festive period. This mission, to remove dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our safety, highlights how our armed forces are always on standby, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and strong abroad."
During December, the United States armed forces executed what it termed a "massive strike" against Islamic State objectives in Syria, following an ambush killed two US troops and a civilian interpreter in Palmyra.
The U.N. says IS still has roughly 5-7 thousand combatants in both countries.
